FREMONT - Before the biggest, fastest and strongest tractors hit the dirt under the lights on Saturday night at the Sandusky County Fair, dozens of boys and girls pedaled their hearts out and put on a show all their own at the annual “Kiddie Tractor Pedal Pull.”

Unlike their much larger and louder counterparts, the power of these pint-sized tractors did not come from multiple diesel-guzzling engines, but instead tapped into their inner strength, endurance and sheer will of the child to pedal the weight-pulling tractors as their family, friends and fellow young competitors cheered them on.

Each child that participated earned a T-shirt and, of course, a round of applause. The top three pullers in each weight category were awarded small cash prizes and a ribbon, while first place brought home a trophy commemorating their accomplishment.

It was no easy task, but a handful of children were able to pedal their way all the way across the track and hear the much-coveted: “Full pull!”

Those with a successful full pull then went into a pull-off round, where the sled got even heavier and more challenging, as the distance increased the weight transferred over the rear axles, just like the big ones.

The weight transfer sled makes each foot down the track harder and harder to pedal, but each of the young pullers left it all out there as the grit and determination to do the best they could was seen on their faces.

In the 30-49 pound weight class, Jimmy Meggitt, 7, of Vickery, finished on top by pulling the 55-pound sled over 27 feet down the track on his way to a first place victory. Matt Meggitt, 5, won third place.

“There must be something in the Meggitt blood,” said Ken Meggitt, Jimmy’s father.